Alleged Blasphemy: Respect other religious groups around you — CAN president, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, tells Christians as he reacts to killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has appealed to Christians to always respect the beliefs of other religious groups. (Read More Here).

CAN’s president, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, made the appeal on Monday, May 16, while reacting to the brutal murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, over alleged blasphemy.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, he said, “There’s a need for religious education so you know what people of other faith around you don’t want and you respect them. If there’s the mutual respect in this nation, there will be peace. Don’t take unilateral offence toward anybody that has offended you. Report it appropriately. This is a civilized society. This is not the stone age.

To the best of my knowledge, I didn’t see the name of any religious leaders being mentioned in all the documents I got from our people in Sokoto, who are Christians.

Killing that lady and setting her ablaze is one action, too many and it should not be allowed in the guise of any religion to take place again. And I want to warn some religious leaders, who are saying there needs to be a redline.

In a country where we have democracy, if there’s a red line for you, report it appropriately and let the law enforcement agencies handle it, while I’m also appealing to every Christian to respect other religious groups around you.”